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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Marion know Alberta?

2. Why do Marion and Hortensia agree they do not date?

3. Who is Niknaks?

4. What does Marion repeatedly insist to Hortensia?

5. How long has Bassey been working for Hortensia?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Hortensia and Peter’s relationship receive criticism?

2. How do Hortensia and Marion’s perspectives on housekeepers differ?

3. What motivates Hortensia to contact Esme?

4. Why does Marion share the story about Alberta?

5. Why does Marion struggle to admit her feelings to Ludmilla?

6. How does Hortensia’s confession about Peter’s illegitimate child bring the women closer together?

7. What does Marion removing the stain from Hortensia’s wall symbolize?

8. How does architecture tie into Marion’s racism?

9. Why does Hortensia slap Marion?

10. Why might Aggie have said “There’s blood here, Marion” (169)?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the significance of the Samsodien’s land claim against the Von Struikers. What is the history of this claim? What is the defense for both sides?

Essay Topic 2

How do the concepts of wealth and money impact the characters in the novel? What are their relationships to money, and what is Katterijn’s relationship to the concept?

Essay Topic 3

What are the origins of Marion and Hortensia’s feud? Point to examples from the novel that indicate how their mutual loathing developed and why it became so fierce.

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